Fluid-cooled wall structure



Dec. 3, 1935. M. J. SELAYA FLUID COOLED WALL STRUCTURE Filed May 2,1, 195o Patented Dec. 3, 1935 nire 'stares Aralar certes FLUID-COOLED WALL STRUCTURE Application May 21, 1930, Serial No. 454,381

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid-cooled walls of a type in which a cooling medium such for example as water, mercury,- vapor or other liquid or gaseous substance is passed through tubes having associated therewith suitable liner blocks of refractory material forming the effective wall surface. Such walls are commonly used in furnaces and stills and may be employed to advantage in apparatus or structures in which a cooling eifect is desired.

Commonly, the tubes through which the cooling medium is circulated are assembled in banks with the said refractory blocks suitably supported in close Contact therewith, this contact being made as intimate as possible in order to afford an efficient path for withdrawal of heat from the blocks by the cooling medium. In many instances, the form of the liner blocks and the method of assembling these blocks with the aforesaid tubes is such as to tend to cause a bending of the individual tubes and a transverse spreading of the bank of tubes as a whole. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for preventing such bendingand expansion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall structure of the stated character which may be readily assembled without displacing the said tubes from their normal relative positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for relatively immobilizing the tubes or for anchoring the tubes in their proper relative positions to thereby permit of bringing the liner blocks into tight engagement with the tubes without danger of bending the latter.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tubular fluid cooled wall structure in which the various elements are so united as to afford a high degree of strength with extreme simplicity.

The invention further resides in certain novel structural features hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a face view of a fragment of a Wall structure made in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1`

With reference to the drawing, l, 2, 3 and 4 are adjacent tubes of Huid-cooled wall structure,

the tubes l and 4 constituting the terminal or.

end tubes of the bank. While for the purpose of illustrating the invention a bank of four tubes is considered sufficient, it will be understood that the invention is applicable to wall structures involving banks of any number of tubes.

As set forth above, the fluid-cooled wall structure comprises blocks assembled in intimate contact with the tubes and forming the effective wall surface, and a typical form of such block is indicated generally by the reference numeral 5. As illustrated, this block comprises tube-engaging parts 6 and 1, each provided in one face with a recess adapted to receive and closeiy fit the sides of the tubes 2 and 3 respectively, and the opposite face of each block is formed with a beveled face 0, which in assembly converge rearwardly to form a tapering recess for a wedge element 9, 10 this element in the present instance having a rearwardly extending stud l l which constitutes a means for drawing the wedge tightly into the tapered recess between the block elements Ei and 1 and for thereby forcing the latter securely against 15 the tubes 2 and 3 with which they respectively contact. As previously set forth, an intimate contact between the liner blocks and the tubes preferably over a relatively extended surface area is highly desirable in order to maintain an eflicient 20 heat conductive path between the blocks, and the cooling agent circulating through the tubes, and the aioredescribed block construction including the wedge 9 affords a highly practical means for insuring this intimate contact. .ln 'the present in- 25 stance, the wedge t is so dimensioned that when drawn into position between the block elements 6 and 'I a recess is leit between the said elements which in assembly is filled with a refractory material in plastic condition, the latter forming a 30 protective mass l2 overlying the outer end of the wedge. This material is held in place in the present instance by undercut recesses I3 in the sides of the block elements t and 'l and by suitably formed bosses lll projecting from the outer 35 face of the wedge element 9.

In the use of a liner block of this character, it will be apparent that in effecting a close engagement between the block elements and the tubes, there is a tendency to draw up on the wedge ele- 40 ment 9 to an extent spreading the tubes 2 and 3 apart. Where a block of this type is used throughout, a slight spreading of any two of the tubes may readily be transferred progressively from one tube to another until the terminal tubes 45 show a pronounced outward bowing, the bank as a whole thereby being expanded transversely well beyond the normal dimensions. This tendency of the tubes to spread is particularly marked where the liner blocks, as is sometimes the case, are sup- 50 ported entirely and directly by the tubes themselves.

in accordance with the present invention, I pro- Vide a tube-retaining or anchoring clamp, this clamp in the embodiment illustrated in the draW- 55 ing comprising elements I5 and I6 adapted to be securely attached to the terminal tube I; and a second set of elements Il and It adapted to be similarly clamped upon the terminal tube Li, the elements I5 and Il of these two clamps being connected by means of a bar i9 which in assembly extends transversely across the back of the bank of tubes, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In the present instance, the connecting bar I9 is shown secured to the elements I5 and I'l by means of welding. The elements I 5 and I6 are provided in their opposite faces with curved recesses 2i and 22 adapted for reception of the tube I and preferably formed so as to afford close contact between the tube and the said elements over a coniparativeiy extended surface area. In the present instance, the elements i5 and I6 are extended inwardly so as to engage one side of the adjacent tube 2 of the bank, the ends of the said elements being recessed at 23 and l for reception of said tube. The elements I5 and I6 are clamped together upon the tube I and against the tube 2 by means of a stud bolt 25 which extends rearwardly from the element Iii through apertures in the element I5 and in the bar I9, the outer end of this stud receiving a nut 25 which reacts with the rear surface of the connected bar Is to hold the clamp element I5 in position. A lock washer 2l is shown between the nut 2t and the bar I9, although this is not essential. In order to more evenly distribute the clamping pressure over the entire length of the elements I5 and I6, a supplemental fastening stud 28 is providid which extends rearwardly from the element I6 through an aperture in the outer end of the member I5, the rear end of this stud receiving a nut 29 which in assembly is tightened against the rear face of the member I5.

The members I'l and I8 are similarly recessed in their opposed faces, as indicated at 3l and 32, for reception of the tube li, and the rear element Il is also extended inwardly into engagement with the adjacent tube 3, a recess 33 being provided in the inner end of the element I1 for reception of said tube. In this instance, however, the forward element I3 of the clamp is not extended into direct contact with the tube 3, a separate block element 3d being provided which bears against the tube 3 and which forms with the inner end of the element I3 a tapered recess for reception of a wedge element 35. A stud 36 extends rearwardly from the wedge S5 through apertures in the clamp element il and the connecting bar I9, and provides means with a nut 3l which reacts with the bar I9 for drawing the wedge inwardly, thereby effecting a secure engagement between the elements I8 and 34 and the tubes and 3 respectively. In this instance, as in the clamp i5--I, outer end of the element I8 is secured by means of a stud 35 which extends rearwardly from the element i8 through an aperture in the outer end of the element Il and is secured in the latter element by means of a nut 39.

It will now be apparent that the terminal tubes I and 4 of the bank are immobilized with respect to each other in any section to which one of the aforedescribed clamps is attached, and regardless of transverse pressure placed upon the inner tubes of the bank tending to spread the latter remain anchored in the proper relative positions by reason of the member I9 connecting the clamps Iii-I6 and Il--I8- In the present instance, it will be noted that the stud II extends through the bar I9, the nut II on this stud reacting with the said bar when the wedge 9 is drawn into position. Each of the blocks associated with the intermediate tubes of the bank (where the bank includes more than the four tubes illustrated) may be similarly se- 5 cured to the bar I9 or may be otherwise secured as desired. Also any number of the clamping devices may be used. They may for example be used in each horizontal row of blocks or in interspersed relation with rows composed entirely of the blocks 5 or its equivalent. There should however be sufficient of the clamps to insure that intervening pipe sections shall be able to withstand any strain normally placed upon them by the liner blocks without bending. l5

The elements it, Ill, 34 and 35 of the aforedescribed structure constitute sections of the effective wall surface and accordingly are preferably made of a material of sufciently higher refractory characteristics to withstand the high temperatures to which this surface might be subjected. Similarly, the elements 6 and I of the blocks 5 should be made of a suitable refractory material. Cast iron has been found suitable for the purpose, although other metals, carborundum or ceramic substances may be successfully employed. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the use of any particular materials nor in fact to the exact structure illustrated in the drawing, since there may be considerable modication without departure from the invention, not only in the form of the clamping elements but also in the form of the particular liner blocks and in the manner of securing them in position. 35

I claim:

l. A duid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure supported in contact with said tubes and including means for clamping together the terminal tubes of said row, said liner structure also including elements of substantially wedge formation adapted for insertion between the tubes, and means for forcibly drawing said elements into position.

2. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, the individual tubes of said row being arranged in spaced relation, a liner structure including spaced elements projecting between and engaging the sides of said tubes, means for separating the liner elements engaging adjacent 5" tubes to force said elements into close engagement with the tubes, and means for clamping together the terminal tubes of said row to prevent spreading thereof by transverse pressure exerted by said liner elements. 57*

3. A huid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, the tubes of said row being arranged in spaced relation, a liner structure including elements projecting between the adjacent tubes, means for exerting transverse pressure upon said 60 elements to force them into close engagement with the tubes, and means for clamping together the terminal tubes to maintain the row as a whole in substantially normal parallel alignment against the transverse pressures exerted through said liner elements.

4. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, the tubes of said row being arranged in spaced relation, a liner structure comprising refractory blocks adapted to be secured in contact with said tubes, said blocks including elements insertable between adjacent tubes, means for forcibly separating said elements into close'engagement with said tubes, and means for anchoring together the terminal tubes of said row to prevent outward spreading of the latter by reason of the transverse forces applied to the tubes by the elements of said liner structure.

5. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, a liner structure including elements clamped to the terminal tubes of the row, means for uniting said clamped elements to maintain a predetermined normal relation between said terminal tubes, elements engaging the intermediate tubes of the row and shaped on their tube-engaging faces in accordance with the curvature of said tubes, wedge elements insertable between the last-named elements, and means for forcibly adjusting said wedge between the elements to force the latter into contact with the tubes.

6. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure including elements clamped to the terminal tubes of said row and connected together to thereby maintain the tubes in predetermined normal relative positions, elements inserted between the intermediate tubes and having in their tube-contacting faces recesses conforming to the curvature of the tubes and embracing a substantial portion of the circumference oi the latter, wedge elements inserted between the last-named elements, and means for forcibly advancing said Wedge elements to thereby force the said tube-engaging elements transversely into intimate contact with the tubes.

7. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, a liner structure including elements straddling vand clamped to two of the tubes of said row and connected together to thereby maintain these tubes in predetermined normal relative positions, elements engaging intermediate tubes and including Wedge means for maintaining the last-named elements in position, and means for forcibly adjusting said wedge means to force the associated elements transversely into intimate contact with the tubes.

8. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure supported in contact with said tubes and including a plurality of substantially wedge-shaped elements and means for forcibly entering said elements between said tubes, and means for preventing transverse distortion of the tubes of said row due to the spreading action of said elements.

9. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure supported in contact with said tubes and including substantially wedge-shaped elements, and means for forcibly drawing said elements between the tubes, said wall structure also including means operative on the terminal tubes of the row to prevent transverse expansion of said bank under the spreading action of said elements.

10. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, anda liner structure supported in contact with said tubes, said structure including a substantially wedge-shaped element, and means for forcibly inserting said element between said tubes, together with elements engaging tubes at opposite sides of the first-named element, and means for connecting the second-named elements together to bind the tubes transversely against the spreading action of the element first named.

11. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure supported in contact with said tubes, said structure including means for maintaining a normal longitudinal alignment of two of said tubes, a substantially wedge-shaped element, and means for forcibly drawing said element between the tubes rst named.

12. A fluid-cooled wall structure comprising a row of tubes, and a liner structure supported in contact with said tubes, said liner structure including elements clamped to the terminal tubes of the row, and means for rigidly connecting said 5 elements together, a plurality of substantially wedge-shaped elements, and means for forcibly entering said elements between the intermediate tubes of the row.

13. A fluid-cooled wall comprising a row of l tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including complementary blocks respectively engaging the forward and rear sides of each of the terminal tubes of said row, means for clamping said complementary blocks l together against the tubes, and means for uniting the rearward blocks of the complementary sets to prevent relative displacement of said rearward blocks.

14. A fluid-cooled wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including complementary blocks respectively engaging the forward and rear sides of each of the terminal tubes of said row and each having a tube-receiving recess, means for clamping said complementary blocks together against the tubes, and means for uniting the rearward blocks of the complementary sets to prevent relative displacement of said rearward blocks.

15. A uid-cooled wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in Contact with said tubes, said structure including complementary blocks respectively engaging the forward and rear sides of each of the terminal tubes of said row, means for clamping said complementary blocks together against the tubes, means for uniting the rearward blocks of the complementary sets to prevent relative displacement of said rearward blocks, and a plurality of blocks engaging the intermediate tubes of said row and secured to said uniting means.

16. A fluid-cooled wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including complementary blocks respectively engaging the forward and rear sides of each of the terminal tubes of said row and reacting with the near side of the adjoining intermediate tubes, means for clamping said complementary blocks together against the tubes, and means for uniting the rearward blocks of the complementary sets to prevent relative displace'- ment of said rearward blocks.

1'7. A fluid-cooled wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including complementary blocks respectively engaging the forward and rear sides of each of the terminal tubes of said row, means for clamping said complementary blocks together against the tubes, said means including clamping bolts extending rearwardly at opposite sides of each of said terminal tubes, and means for unitingthe rearward blocks of the complementary sets to prevent relative displacement of said blocks.

18. A uid-cooled wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including for each of the terminal tubes a set of complementary blocks, and means for clamping said complementary blocks together upon the tubes, each of said blocks having a tube-receiving recess whereby the complementary blocks substantially entirely embrace the tubes which they engage, and means for uniting said complementary sets to prevent relative displacement thereof.

19. A fluid-cooled Wall comprising a row of tubes and a liner structure in contact with said tubes, said structure including blocks engaging the intermediate tubes of the row, and means for forcing the blocks against the tubes, said blocks being so constructed and arranged that under the action of said forcing means they tend to transversely distort the tubes in the plane of the row, complementary blocks respectively engaging each of the terminal tubes of said roW, means for clamping said complementary blocks together upon the tubes, and means for uniting the complementary blocks of one of said terminal tubes with the complementary blocks of the other of said terminal tubes, said uniting means resisting distortion of the tubes and maintaining the row as a Whole in substantially normal parallel alignment.

20. A fluid cooled Wall structure comprising a row of tubes, refractory liner elements clamped to the terminal tubes of said row, a transversely extending member rigidly connecting said clamped elements, and refractory liner elements secured to said transverse member and closely 10 engaging the intermediate tubes of said row, and

including wedging means exerting a transverse pressure against the sides of adjacent tubes.

MANUEL JAM'ES SELAYA. 

